Event #8 "Skeleton in the closet" [TAG: Alex]

[Misha Charisse Quinn]

"I'm glad."
This wasn’t good.
This wasn’t… them. They’d never been like that around each other. Even when they had first met, when they were still testing each other’s boundaries, they were more open and comfortable than this.
Alex didn’t even seem to want to talk about it, considering how quickly he’d dodged her comment on being puzzled, and despite herself, she felt a little twinge of pain in her heart. Did that confirm that he had only kissed her in the moment and not because he had truly meant it? And if so… why was it bothering her so much?

She looked down. That didn’t matter right now. What mattered was that she could feel Alex slipping away from her, and the last thing they needed now, when they were still stuck in this hell trying to survive… was to tear themselves apart.

"Look, I uh... I think we should be getting back to the others. Drei and Peyton are probably locked in a staring contest right about now."
 – Sure… – he was physically moving away now, apparently desperate to put an end to their conversation. Even his small expression of gratitude seemed distant.
She hated it.
"So what's the diagnosis, doc?" he asked, pointing at his one bleeding forehead. "Think my war paint is looking better now or what?"
She forced a smile he couldn’t see. He was using the joking tone he had when he was trying to avoid a conversation he knew he couldn’t run away from forever. When he didn’t want to worry her… or didn’t want to have to face her.
Apparently, it was also the tone he’d use when trying to appease the situation after a major screw-up.

She sighed. Can’t beat them, join them.

 – I… suppose I won’t be entirely embarrassed being seen next to you. – she teased back, in her voice the same nervous chuckle she could hear in his. – Maybe you can even try to convince people you actually got that scar in a fearless battle for once.
This was slightly better.
Maybe.
He was moving towards the exit again, already a step ahead of her, soon to be another. It was probably more metaphorical than it needed to be, but she couldn’t help but panic a little from this physical separation. They couldn’t leave things on this note.

Before she could stop herself, she gave a big step forward and grabbed his hand.

 – But maybe don’t go around on your own running into more walls. Battle scars aren’t as sexy as they say.

Gently, her hand squeezed his, for a second longer than it would usually have. Deep down, she hoped he could get the message without needing her to say it out loud.

We’re gonna be okay. I promise.

[Alexander Attiyah]

Alex listened to the way Misha teased him back, her voice sounding much in the same way his own had: nervous and slightly forced, but still better than what it felt like earlier at least. And at the sound as well as her playful words, he felt a small nudge of relief ease his mind a little as his lips pulled into a more honest smirk.

"Who said I didn't?" he teased in as light of tone as he could, another chuckle escaping his lips. "That wall put up a good fight. Think I might have dented it with my face a little." He rubbed the area of his nose where he had taken a majority of the blow in further indication as the sound of his nervous laughter slowly died down into a lulled silence, the light attempt at easing the mood seeming to quiet down along with it.

He still felt rather embarrassed... and nervous. But somewhat better, even if it was in part. In his mind, he was still replaying everything that had happened: how different and comforting and warm their kiss felt, how much it made his heart race just thinking about it (and about her), and what her reaction had been like afterwards... the last one being something that made his chest tighten at the thought.

But he also found himself focusing on the swelling of emotions he was currently feeling as he debated over what to do or say, like how nervous he was about what that kiss meant now for their friendship, and wondering if Misha was was feeling too. More than anything, he wanted to be closer to her again, to have his best friend back... He wanted to feel that warmth again that made his heart squeeze each time they held hands or each time they touched, yet at the same time respect her boundaries. And without being able to read her expressions, he wasn't entirely sure what he should do now that wouldn't make her more uncomfortable.

Debating on his next move as the quiet of the bathroom still circled around them, Alex stood for a few seconds and bit his lip until eventually deciding to head towards the others, his body feeling rather drained and heavy. He didn't want to leave Drei to suffer longer than he probably already was, after all. But the atmosphere in the bathroom was already more than he honestly felt ready to take.

Turning slightly in place, he moved to take a hesitant step forward in the direction he hoped was the bathroom door. Yet before he was able to get very far, he was surprised when a sudden warmth gently enveloped his hand, Misha's fingers grasping his own as he heard her soft voice reach his ears. "But maybe don't go around on your own running into more walls," he heard her tease him further, her hand squeezing his a little tighter as she spoke. "Battle scars aren't as sexy as they say."

At her words, Alex immediately felt the corners of his lips turn upwards into a teasing yet mostly soft and sincere smile while his body gradually began to relax, his concentration pulled towards the comforting feel of her hand in his. Misha, he inwardly whispered her name as his chest tightened slightly, feeling the initial response of surprise turn into one of a touched and sincere relief.

Her fingers were still squeezing his gently for a little longer than usual, and with them he could feel his nerves slowly ebb away. It was a reassuring touch: an open and honest one that silently vocalized his own feelings at wanting to stay close, of wanting things to be okay between them. He knew she was trying to let him know she was there for him as always, that she didn't want them to be separated either or for this barrier to exist between them. And he found his hand automatically clinging to hers as well, silently relaying the same heartfelt message (as well as a deeper message of his own) in addition to the words that now audibly left his lips.

"I don't think you have to worry about that," he replied back in a calmer and softer tone, though as he continued, his voice tilted into a rather sincerely teasing one along with his widening smile. "I look sexy in everything."

The nerves that had been hinted earlier were no longer present in the ravenhaired's voice as he finished, a laugh escaping his lips. His mood felt lighter than before, more relaxed... Of course, he still felt anxious - particularly towards the future. And of course, their situation with Naya, Amanda and the weight of the world around them and the swarm of news, fears, and emotions circling his mind wasn't exactly a help in that regard. Yet as he gently continued holding Misha's hand, his cheeks still burning a little from her touch and the intimate memory of what happened seconds earlier, he honestly didn't care.

He didn't want to let go of her hand. The comfort he felt was something he needed... And more than that, he needed her. He trusted Misha, and deeply cared about her. And he didn't want to risk being separated from her again either. No matter what.

I promise you too, Cha-cha, he whispered silently to her through their entwined hands, his fingers holding gently yet tightly onto hers as if in added promise. I'm not letting you go.

[Misha Charisse Quinn]

"Who said I didn't? That wall put up a good fight. Think I might have dented it with my face a little."
Her lips curved into a small smile. There he was, back to teasing again; except this time, and despite the awkwardness, it felt more authentic. Like they were slowly getting back on track, step by step.
He didn’t reject her touch when she grabbed his hand, instead choosing to reciprocate her affections by squeezing her back. Her own grip tightened in response. She still didn’t know why he had done what he did, nor truly how she felt about it, but… what she knew is that she never wanted anything to come between them, and even less in sure dire times.

"I don't think you have to worry about that. I look sexy in everything."

 – Right. You keep telling yourself that; maybe one day it’ll come true. – she teased. She wasn’t sure what to think of a comment about his sex-appeal right after he had kissed her, but for both of their well-being, she chose to take it as a joke like she would usually do and move from there. She didn’t need even more awkward.
As they were moving back towards the exit, her eyes landed back on his face, on the scars, both around his eyes. No matter what he tried to convince her of, she couldn’t believe that he wasn’t in some serious pain, and she hated not being able to do something about that.
Except she could.

Her hand was in her pocket as soon as the idea popped in her head. Quickly, she reached for her blister of painkillers and turned Alex around.

 – Here. You could try and take that… just in case the scars aren’t as sexy on the inside as they are on the outside.

[OOC: Misha offered Alex to take the painkillers]

[Alexander Attiyah]

"Right. You keep telling yourself that," Misha teased back following Alex's comment, earning herself an honest and amused grin in return. This was definitely better than before. Still awkward no doubt, but easier... and slightly more comfortable. It was closer to how they should act around each other, and despite the ravenhaired's nerves, he found his mood lifting little by little. Maybe we really will be okay.

Grasping her hand gently as she led them towards the bathroom door, Alex was surprised when she suddenly stopped. "Here," he heard her say, right before he felt some sort of plastic-like object being nudged against his free hand in indication.

"What's this?" he asked as he grabbed the mystery packaging, an eyebrow raised curiously.

"You can try to take that," she answered simply as he reluctantly let go of her hand and felt around the edges, noting the rounded bump on one side and a wrapping-like texture on the other. "Just in case the scars aren't as sexy on the inside as they are on the outside."

Giving her a teasing look in her direction at her pointedly humored remark, Alex could hear something inside the package rattling against the plastic as he shifted the object in his hands. And gradually a small smile began to appear on his lips at the realization of what she was giving him. Typical Cha-cha, always worried about me, he whispered inwardly as his hand gripped the object a little tighter, an amused yet soft expression on his face. Clearly he needed worrying considering the scarred skin around his eyes and the telling bruise on his nose from his so called 'fight' against that wall. And while normally he didn't like showing it, he felt a warmth at knowing she was looking out for him.

Though that didn't exactly stop him from worrying about her either.

"You sure you don't need them?" he asked her as he managed to break through the wrapping, causing little circular objects to fall onto his palm. Especially with all the headaches I give you... He rolled what he hoped to be painkillers around in his hand for a second as he muttered the words inwardly, feeling somewhat guilty for the truth of that statement. He knew it wasn't exactly easy for her, either. And knowing her like he did, he was pretty sure that she had given him these because she was still concerned about his eyes hurting him. Which all things considered, she had a right to be... and he wouldn't blame her for that.

Feeling his heart warm inside his chest, it didn't take Alex too long to decide what to do, his head eventually nodding slowly at her offer while a soft, thankful smile formed on his lips. "Thanks, Cha-cha," he whispered in a gentle tone as he turned back around towards where he remembered the direction of the sink had been, using the water to help swallow them down despite his dry throat.

He honestly wasn't sure he wanted to take the painkillers considering how much Misha had already done for him. In truth, he felt rather desperate to show her the similar kind of concern and protection she was constantly showing him. Or at the very least, be able to comfort her too in some way. But he knew her better than anyone; she was genuinely concerned about him. And right now, the best thing he could do to ease her mind a little was to accept her efforts to comfort him.

Besides, it was pretty clear that between the two of them, he had definitely managed to bust himself up and get into more trouble. And judging by the headache that had been pounding dully against his skull ever since he got here as well as the fair amount of equally annoying bruises and injuries he'd accumulated, his body wasn't exactly against the idea of taking them either.

Swallowing a few extra sips of water (as who knew at what point either of them would be able to drink again), Alex took a step back and allowed Misha to lead him away from the sink to redirect them both back towards the door, his hand automatically searching for hers as they walked. Soon he felt her fingers gently brush against his and he grasped them tightly, letting his warmth and gratitude and reassurance be shared silently with her. He didn't know what was awaiting them next... Nor did he know how they would get through this hell. But he was determined more than anything not to lose her.

I'm not letting you go...

~ END OF THREAD ~